BLACKWOOD vs Mafia II: Definitive Edition

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only
• Setting: 2012 Brooklyn, New York
• Platforms: PC
• Release Window: Q3 2026
• Unique Feature: A unique dual-life gameplay system that blends life simulation as a DVD store owner with a brutal, cinematic, John Wick-inspired third-person shooter.

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only
• Setting: 1940s-1950s Empire Bay
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• Definitive Edition Release: 2020-05-19
• Unique Feature: An iconic, character-driven mob story set in a beautifully realized open world that authentically transitions from the 1940s to the 1950s.

• Joe Barbaro: The game is a single-player experience. Vito's best friend, Joe, and other mobsters like Henry Tomasino frequently accompany him on missions, providing fire support and driving the narrative through their interactions.
  Human (AI)

• DVDs: As the owner of a DVD store, players can buy and sell films, which may function as a form of collectible.
• Lore Items: The detailed world is filled with environmental storytelling (ads, tattoos, posters) that piece together the game's narrative.

• Playboy Magazines: Vintage Playboy magazines from the 1950s are hidden throughout the game's levels. Each one features an authentic centerfold from the era.
• Wanted Posters: Posters depicting key members of the game's development team are hidden throughout Empire Bay.
• Greaser Magazines: (Joe's Adventures DLC) Car-themed magazines hidden throughout the DLC missions.

• Action
• Thriller
• Third-Person Shooter
• Hitman
• Dual Life
• Crime
• Narrative-Driven
• Beat 'em up

• Organized Crime
• Mafia
• 1940s-1950s America
• The American Dream
• Friendship & Betrayal
• Action-Adventure
• Period Drama

• Firearms: Varies
  A diverse arsenal of over 30 unique weapons for fast, stylish, and unforgiving gunplay.
• Hand-to-Hand: Melee
  A core component of combat, used in the game's extensive and brutal takedown system.
• Environmental Weapons: Improvised
  Players can use the environment around them to eliminate enemies with precision and style as part of the contextual finisher system.

• Pistols & Revolvers: Sidearms
  Period-accurate handguns like the Colt 1911, .357 Magnum, and M1911 Special. The standard weapon for most encounters.
• Submachine Guns: Automatic Weapons
  Iconic WWII and post-war SMGs, including the Thompson M1A1 and the MP40, perfect for close-to-medium range firefights.
• Shotguns: Close-Quarters
  Powerful pump-action shotguns that are devastating at close range.
• Rifles: Long Guns
  Military-grade rifles like the M1 Garand, used for powerful, accurate shots at longer distances.
• Throwables: Explosives
  Includes Molotov cocktails for area denial and Mk. II grenades for clearing enemies from cover.

• None: The game does not feature an armor system. Player durability is based on their base health, which regenerates partially. Health can be fully restored by eating food or drinking beverages found in the world.

• Outfits: Players can purchase and change Vito's outfits by visiting clothing stores or using the wardrobe in his apartment. Outfits range from leather jackets and casual wear to expensive suits. Clothing is purely cosmetic but is required to change appearance and lose a police 'wanted' level.

The game incorporates light RPG elements to make Anton's dual identity feel more tangible. While specific skill trees have not been detailed, progression is tied to mastering the combat system, which includes fluid movement (dives, rolls, slides) and a vast arsenal of over 30 unique weapons. A key part of the gameplay is mastering the game's 30+ contextual finishers.

The game does not feature a traditional skill tree or RPG leveling system. Progression is tied to the narrative. As Vito earns money and status, he can afford better clothes and cars. Weapon upgrades are not a feature, but players gain access to more powerful firearms as the story advances.

The game takes place in the open world of 2012 New York. The city is designed to be a living character, with every detail carrying meaning. The core gameplay loop is split between managing Anton's DVD store in Brooklyn during the day and exploring the city's criminal underworld on contract kills at night.

The open world of Empire Bay is a detailed, atmospheric setting that evolves as the story progresses. Key districts include the Italian neighborhood of Little Italy, the bustling downtown district of Midtown, and the industrial port of Southport. The city changes visually and culturally between the 1940s and 1950s sections of the game.

• 1940s & 1950s American Cars: Sedan, Coupe, Truck
  The game features a large roster of fictional vehicles heavily inspired by real cars from the 1940s and 50s. Players can steal cars, store them in their garage, and upgrade their performance at auto shops. The city's vehicles and traffic change as the story progresses from the '40s to the '50s.

• Vito Scaletta: Playable Protagonist
  A WWII veteran who joins the Mafia to escape a life of poverty. His story traces his rise and fall within Empire Bay's criminal underworld.
• Joe Barbaro: Deuteragonist / Best Friend
  Vito's impulsive and loyal best friend. He is already connected to the criminal world and is responsible for Vito's introduction to the mob.
• Henry Tomasino: Ally / Mobster
  A 'made man' in the Clemente crime family who mentors Vito and Joe, providing them with their first real jobs in the Mafia.
• Eddie Scarpa: Capo / Boss
  The underboss of the Falcone crime family. A charismatic but dangerous figure who gives Vito and Joe many of their high-stakes assignments.

• Main Story Quests
  A cinematic, slow-burn narrative campaign that follows Anton Blackwood as he carries out his contracts and gets pulled deeper into a web of conspiracies, questioning if he is truly in control of his own life.
• DVD Store Management
  A life simulation gameplay loop where players must run Anton's business by buying and selling films, decorating the shop, and interacting with customers.

• Story Chapters
  The game is divided into 15 linear story chapters that follow Vito Scaletta's life and career in the Mafia over a decade, from his return from war in 1945 to his dealings in 1951.
• DLC Add-Ons
  The three included DLCs ('The Betrayal of Jimmy,' 'Jimmy's Vendetta,' 'Joe's Adventures') offer more arcade-style, action-focused missions that take place within the Empire Bay open world, separate from the main story.

The Definitive Edition is the all-in-one package, available as a standalone purchase or as a free upgrade for owners of the original Mafia II on Steam. It includes the base game and all three story DLCs: 'The Betrayal of Jimmy,' 'Jimmy's Vendetta,' and 'Joe's Adventures,' as well as all bonus packs.

All post-launch content is included in the Definitive Edition. The three story add-ons ('The Betrayal of Jimmy,' 'Jimmy's Vendetta,' and 'Joe's Adventures') offer more arcade-style, action-focused missions that take place within the Empire Bay open world, separate from the main story.

• Q: What is BLACKWOOD?
  A: BLACKWOOD is a single-player, third-person action thriller about a man living a double life as a DVD store owner by day and a professional hitman by night. It is known for its John Wick-inspired combat and deep, cinematic narrative.
• Q: What is the gameplay like?
  A: It is a blend of life simulation and third-person shooting. By day, you manage a DVD store. By night, you engage in fast, stylish, and brutal cover-based gunplay and hand-to-hand combat, with a focus on over 30 contextual takedowns.
• Q: Who is making the game?
  A: The game is being developed and published by AttritoM7 Productions, the studio behind the tactical FPS, Zero Hour.
• Q: When will it be released?
  A: The game is scheduled for release in the third quarter (Q3) of 2026 on PC via Steam.

• Q: What is included in the Mafia II: Definitive Edition?
  A: It includes a remastered version of the full base game plus all three of its story DLCs: 'The Betrayal of Jimmy,' 'Jimmy's Vendetta,' and 'Joe's Adventures.'
• Q: Do I need to play Mafia 1 before Mafia 2?
  A: No. While they exist in the same universe, Mafia II features a new protagonist and a standalone story. There are some minor connections, but it is not required to play the first game.
• Q: Is Mafia II an open-world sandbox like Grand Theft Auto?
  A: No. While it is set in a large, open-world city, the game is a very linear, story-driven experience. The city primarily serves as a setting for the story chapters, with few side activities.
• Q: How is this different from Mafia III?
  A: Mafia II is a more focused, linear narrative with less emphasis on open-world activities. Mafia III features a systemic open world where the player must actively take over districts. The stories and protagonists are also completely different, though Vito Scaletta from this game appears as a supporting character in Mafia III.

The Definitive Edition is a remaster of the 2010 original, featuring updated character models and higher-resolution textures to bring the visuals closer to modern standards. The game is celebrated for its authentic and detailed recreation of a mid-20th century American city.

The game features an acclaimed licensed soundtrack with dozens of authentic songs from the 1940s and 50s. The music is delivered through three in-game radio stations that change their playlists and news reports as the story progresses through the different eras.

Features a standard third-person shooter UI with a mini-map, health bar, and ammo count. The world map is used for navigation between missions. The overall presentation is highly cinematic, with a focus on immersing the player in the period setting.

• SPECULATIVE PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. As official specs are To Be Determined (TBD), these are hypothetical projections for a next-generation title, likely built on Unreal Engine 5.
• Laptop Performance Note: A title like this would demand a high-performance gaming laptop for the best experience. The game's emphasis on cinematic action and fluid animations will require stable performance.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features and maintain high framerates during intense firefights.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich city and effects-heavy combat will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the advanced enemy AI and physics-based interactions.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in a fast-paced shooter.
• Game Name: BLACKWOOD

• OFFICIAL AND EXTRAPOLATED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for Mafia II: Definitive Edition. This information is based on the official PC specifications from developer Hangar 13 and publisher 2K, adapted to the requested JSON structure. As a remaster of a 2010 title, the requirements are very low by modern standards. Laptop and future-generation GPU listings are extrapolated for context.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop versions of the listed desktop GPUs require comparable performance. Given the game's age, almost any modern gaming laptop will run Mafia II: Definitive Edition at maximum settings and high framerates without any issues.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Not a critical factor for this title, as even low-power modern GPUs will be more than sufficient.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game is not demanding enough to stress modern cooling systems, but good thermals are always beneficial for system health.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: The game is not CPU-intensive by modern standards, and any recent mobile CPU will handle it easily.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: While not essential for this title, a MUX switch can help reduce system latency, which is a general benefit for gaming.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Mafia II: Definitive Edition does not have official integrated support for modern upscaling technologies like NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR. Performance is based on native resolution rendering.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Performance is most affected by settings like Antialiasing, Shadow Quality, and Ambient Occlusion. However, most modern hardware can easily run the game at maximum settings.
• Game Name: Mafia II: Definitive Edition

• Upscaling Tech: Mafia II: Definitive Edition does not have official integrated support for modern upscaling technologies like NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR. Performance is based on native resolution rendering.
• Key Settings Impact: Performance is most affected by settings like Antialiasing, Shadow Quality, and Ambient Occlusion. However, most modern hardware can easily run the game at maximum settings.

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features and maintain high framerates during intense firefights.
• Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich city and effects-heavy combat will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the advanced enemy AI and physics-based interactions.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in a fast-paced shooter.

• G P U T G P: Not a critical factor for this title, as even low-power modern GPUs will be more than sufficient.
• Cooling Thermals: The game is not demanding enough to stress modern cooling systems, but good thermals are always beneficial for system health.
• C P U Power Limits: The game is not CPU-intensive by modern standards, and any recent mobile CPU will handle it easily.
• M U X Switch Optimus: While not essential for this title, a MUX switch can help reduce system latency, which is a general benefit for gaming.